Originally posted by tollbooth

Why the hell are all you people playing mmo's if you don't like grouping?  Someone should make a morpg that is like 50 people coop so you bitches can go play a different genre.

I only want to work if i get to pick and choose my co-workers, i only want to live in new york if i get to pick and choose who lives there too.  I have no social skills and can't handle uncomfortable situations... is all i'm seeing in these post. 

Just blows my mind how you people ended up playing mmo's.

Yes because how people choose to play an entertainment product in their downtime can be directly compared to things they need to do to survive and get ahead in their real life.

Sheesh.

If you haven't realized by now that that soloing has always been an effective option in the MMO world, going right back to the beginning, and that there is far far more to do in an MMO than just group, then give up any argument you have because your observation and reasoning skills are too lacking to have any effect. 

I loved grouping back in the day with games like EQ, DAoC, FFXI, etc., because it was easier to gain levels, a lot of the content wasn't soloable, and if it was a good group, talking with them made grinding mobs in an area for hours less of a chore.

Nowadays I avoid grouping unless I'm heading into a dungeon that requires it. It's just easier to get most things done solo. I wouldn't really have the time anymore for  a game that forced me to look for a group -- especially when it was required for almost everything like in FFXI. I look back fondly at FFXI, but there were far too many times where I'd be messaging people and shouting in chat for hours looking for a group and it never happened. Sometimes i'd wait for hours, finally get into a group, the group would wipe once and the group would break up.

So there. Forced grouping can be frustrating, but not enough incentive to group is kinda boring, in my opinion.

with unknown cant say thats is fun

but after a while grouping with same people that share the same thoughts and share respect each other is what MMO is all about.

Originally posted by SwampRob

I like grouping up only if it's entirely optional.   By that I mean not just content.   If there are tangible benefits to my character's power for being in a guild, then I consider that mandatory.

"You can't attempt this task unless you have at least X friends with you..." is my most hated statement in MMOs.

If I group up because the game demands it, them I'm resentful the entire time I'm in that group.   That's bound to make me more irritable and less welcoming of others.

I can determine my willingness to even attempt a new game with two questions:

1.  Is PvP optional?   If not, I'm gone.

2.  Is there forced grouping?   If yes, I'm gone.

 

You have read my mind. :-)

Originally posted by SwampRob

I like grouping up only if it's entirely optional.   By that I mean not just content.   If there are tangible benefits to my character's power for being in a guild, then I consider that mandatory.

"You can't attempt this task unless you have at least X friends with you..." is my most hated statement in MMOs.

If I group up because the game demands it, them I'm resentful the entire time I'm in that group.   That's bound to make me more irritable and less welcoming of others.

I can determine my willingness to even attempt a new game with two questions:

1.  Is PvP optional?   If not, I'm gone.

2.  Is there forced grouping?   If yes, I'm gone.

 

Agreed

Yes.

I get a kick out of reading the golden age of mmos thread and this one.

Yeah mmos don't seem like they have any depth anymore, yet strangly they're all full of people who never want to talk or do anything with anyone else now....weird how they went down hill.

Depends on what the people are like.

Best grouping ive ever had I would say was the early days of DayZ, you couldnt just find other players and group with them, that gets you shot in the back for your baked beans, you have to build a trust with the people around you and they with you :)

Not really.

There are enough reasons that I could make a 14+ page PDF on it.

As you notice, I'm on a forum instead of being in a chatroom talking about it. Distinct proof that I want to come and go as I please and not be forced to interact or entertain during silence when I can do other things like have this video on in the background and my code up that I can switch back and forth from.

Originally posted by Enerzeal

1)  ... do you like to group up, or do you prefer to stick to yourself in an MMO?

2)  Sub question - Do you get involved with guilds beyond guild benefits, when I say benefits I mean EXP increasees, drop rate bonuses etc, not the bonuses of having a group of raiders/people you know and can play with well.

1)  I never group.

2)  I do not join guilds.

(By way of explanation, it takes far too much time to wait around and find someone who is in the same zone as me, who is at the same stage of a quest as I am, and who has the time to actually complete the quest.  I used to love grouping up and joining Guilds many years ago, and thus enjoying some entertaining chat while questing or chilling out, but the community of articulate, fair-minded players became engulfed by hundreds (and eventually many thousands) of greedy, whiny, clueless people who's idea of a conversation is limited to a handful of acronyms and/or the snacks they are currently eating.  These pathetic MMO communities we have today are the reason why I also never join guilds any more.)

Originally posted by Dibdabs

Originally posted by Enerzeal

1)  ... do you like to group up, or do you prefer to stick to yourself in an MMO?

2)  Sub question - Do you get involved with guilds beyond guild benefits, when I say benefits I mean EXP increasees, drop rate bonuses etc, not the bonuses of having a group of raiders/people you know and can play with well.

1)  I never group.

2)  I do not join guilds.

(By way of explanation, it takes far too much time to wait around and find someone who is in the same zone as me, who is at the same stage of a quest as I am, and who has the time to actually complete the quest.  I used to love grouping up and joining Guilds many years ago, and thus enjoying some entertaining chat while questing or chilling out, but the community of articulate, fair-minded players became engulfed by hundreds (and eventually many thousands) of greedy, whiny, clueless people who's idea of a conversation is limited to a handful of acronyms and/or the snacks they are currently eating.  These pathetic MMO communities we have today are the reason why I also never join guilds any more.)

This!

Absolutely enjoy grouping and all of the community aspects that go with grouping.  These are MMOs, not single player games that you just happen to be playing with other people.  Well they used to be anyway.  Damn, need to add that to my list now :p

Far as Guilds are concerned, think i may be a bit over involved at times :p

Originally posted by steelheartx

Absolutely enjoy grouping and all of the community aspects that go with grouping.  These are MMOs, not single player games that you just happen to be playing with other people.  Well they used to be anyway.  

I never really understood this complaint from the pro-grouping crowd.   Virtually every MMO out there still locks the best gear in the game behind group-only combat.   Until an MMO comes out that allows for that best gear to be obtained group or solo, as the player would prefer, MMOs are still TOO group oriented.

Until that happens, every MMO is still "Yeah, you can solo for a while, but eventually it's group up or give up on any meaningful character progression."    There isn't an MMO in existence that's too solo-friendly yet.